Competition to turn toilets into tourist attractions

Public toilet blocks in Lake Macquarie could be turned into tourist attractions and works of art.

A council report has recommended retaining 55 of the city's 107 public toilet blocks, replacing 14, modifying 11 and demolishing nine.

Others would be relocated or re-assessed.

The report reveals the annual cost of repairs to the city's public toilets is around $176,000, with around half that cost due to vandalism and graffiti.

Greens Councillor, Phillipa Parsons has suggested a competition could be run to design the new toilet blocks and those that will be modified.

She says public toilets can be more than just a brick building.

"There are many examples all over the world of public facilities, toilets, being more than just for toilets," she said.

"They attract people to come in and have a look because the local governments have involved artists and architects to make them something rally interesting, almost a Gaudi-inspired public facility if you will."